Toy.



110.73%,168. PATENTBD SEPT H5, 1903.

Y F. GARRBm-m APPLICATION FILED: $230195 19.03.

NO IODBL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903, I. GARREGHT.

TOY.

APPLIOATION rum) APB.-29. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H0 MODEL.

O 0 0 900 96 0 1 w 6 a WW JfK/Q a u: J 2 1 z ..1 a M fld dddddddd a a g r j 4 Z? 1 B B a d a n A d w w w cw WITNESSES A WORNE VS.

m: NORRIS PETERS 00, mom-Lm-o WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES Patented September 15, 1903b PATENT OFFICE.

'TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,168, dated September 15, 1903. Application filed April 29, 1903.' Serial No. 154,825. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GAERECHT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Idaho City, in the county of Boise and State of Idaho, have invented a new and Improved Toy, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a class of toys wherein figures are adapted to descend from an elevation upon a support and receive rocking movement from the joint action of gravity and the peculiar shape of the support, and has for its object to provide a toy of the character indicated which embodies novel details of construction that are simple, practical, and inexpensive, and adapt the toy for automatic operation for a considerable length of time. p

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as is hereinafter described, and defined in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view-of the improved toy. Fig. 2 is a partly sectional side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional side view substantially on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 4 4 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is -a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 5 5 in Fig. l.

Upon a suitable base 6, preferably flat and rectangularin contour, two standards 7 are secured at their lower ends and are spaced apart in the same vertical plane sufficiently for the accommodation of other parts between them comprising the following details:

8 8 represent two side bars of a rectangular frame spaced apart at .the upper and lower ends, respectively, by the upper and lower cross-bars 8 8 Preferably the side bars 8 are channeled longitudinally on their inner sides and they may with advantage be constructed of strips of plate metal bent to produce the channel a. At the longitudinal centers of the side bars 8 trunnions 9 9 are affixed by one end and extend oppositely, their ends having journals thereon which rotatably engage within boxes b, formed or secured on the upper ends of the standards 7 by the collars 0, formed or secured on the trunnions 9 9, which are prevented by said collars from moving endwise.

Between the cross-bars 8 8 a metal strip 10 is extended, having its ends secured to said bars upon their inner sides and at points which dispose the strip centrally between and parallel with the channeled frame-bars 8. A series of corrugations are formed on the strip 10, extending from points near each crossbar 8 8, these corrugations producing similar short inclined planes d, that successively trend in opposite directions from slightlyrounded corners at, giving a zigzag conformation to the undulating portion of the strip, which for convenience may be termed a tilter-bar.

An elongated strip ll of suitable material extends of an equal length from opposite ends of the rocking box 11, that together with the strips ll forms a seesaw-board. The box 11 is preferably of sheet metal bent to produce an oblong structure having parallel side walls a, spaced apart by overlapping the ends of the strip 11 and by the bottom wall e, that curves upward at each end of the box and is secured upon the lower surfaces of the strips 11, as shown in Fig. 3. A transverse slot 9 is formed in the upper side of the box 11 between the adjacent ends of the strips 11, this slot having a width which will permit the insertion of the tilter-bar 10 therethrough and adapt the preferably rounded side edges of the slot to loosely embrace the sides of said bar.

An opening it is formed in the lower Wall of the box 11 directly below the transverse slot 9 and is of greater width than said slot. Such a depth is given to the box 11 that when itis engaged with the tilter-bar 10 by passing the latter through the openings g h and a reentrant angle d on the tilter-bar engages one of the transverse edges of the slot g the seesaw-board will be permitted to rock a distance defined by the width of the oblongh tesque figures 12 of equal weight are pivoted, as shown at I; in Fig. 5, and are thus held to rotate, said figures appearing as if seated IIO straddling the end portions of the seesawboard. For the proper operation of the toy the depending limbs m of the figures 12 are weighted so as to cause them to assume the positions represented in Fig. 1 at all times without regard to which side of the seesawboard is uppermost.

Upon the inner surface of each cross-bar S S" a latch-bar 13 is pivoted, as at 11, near its center of length, thus holding said latch bar transversely of the frame of which the channeled strips 8 are members. Each latchbar 13 has one member slotted to receive an adjacent straight end portion (1 of the tilterbar 10 and thence extends toward one of the side bars 8, as shown in Fig. 2, one end of a bent plate-spring 13 being secured upon this extension of the latch-bar, so that its free end may press upon the cross-bar 8 and rock the inner end of the latch-bar away from the same. The other end of each latch-bar 13 is extended from the pivot-support n outward through aslot in the side bar 8 nearest thereto, and this extension 0 of the latch-bar, which constitutes the latching member thereof, may with advantage be given an offset bend, as shown at 0 in Fig. 2, which disposes said latching end portion in a plane somewhat lowerthan the cross-bar 8 Upon the standard 7, toward which the latching member 0 extends, a detent-arln 14 is affixed that may be engaged by the latching member, as shown in Fig. 4, said detentarm, which is preferably in the form of a flat strip of resilient metal, having a depression p in its upper surface near one end thereof. From the depression p, wherein the latching member 0 may seat, the arm 14 is extended beyond a side of the standard toward which the frame supporting the tilter-bar 10 may be rocked, as indicated by the arrow w in Fig. l, the arm having its outer portion curved downward slightly to adapt it to receive the latch-bar members 0, and it will be seen that when the rotatable frame carrying the tilterbar 10 is free to receive turning movement in the direction of the arrowa; the latch-bar member 0, that has been uppermost on the frame, will as it engages the free outer end of the detent-arm 14 press thereon, which will cause said arm to yield and the latch member to seat in the depression p, whereby the frame and tilter-bar will be held disposed in a vertical position.

While the toy may be turned by hand to reverse the ends of the tilter-bar 10, which is essential to continue its operation, as will presently be described, it is preferred to effect this turning operation by means of a spring-motor of any approved construction, one practical form of such a motor being shown in Fig. 2, and comprising the following details: In a casing 15 is contained a frame 15, wherein an arbor r is journaled and extends through a side wall of the casing to receive a suitable key 1". Upon the arbor r a helical springs is mounted and secured by its inner end as usual, the outer end being held secure upon a member of the frame 15. A small pinion t is mounted and secured upon the arbor r near the spring 5, and also a ratchet-wheel a, engaged by a pawl o, held to rock on the motor-frame and engaging its free end between the teeth of the ratchet-wheeL' A gear-shaft 20, carrying a large spur-gear w and a sprocket-gear 10 is jonrnaled in the frame 15 parallel with the arbor r and at such a distance therefrom as will permit the spur-gear w to mesh with the pinion t. The trunnion 9 is extended outside of the standard 7, and upon its extension a sprocket-gear 9 is secured that is connected with the sprocket-gear 20 by a belt 16.

It will be seen that the spring-motor is adapted upon the release of an engaged latchbar member 0 from the detent-arm 14 to tu rn the tilter-bar 10 in the direction of the arrow at until the descending latch-bar member 0 I engages the detent-arm 14, slides thereon toward the depression 19 in said arm, and en ters it, this engagement holding the tilter-bar frame in a vertical position.

In arranging the details of the toy for operation the seesaw-board, having the trans verse slot g at its longitudinal center, is mounted upon the tilter-bar 10 by an upward insertion of the latter through the opening it and slot 9 before the tilter-bar is secured upon the upper cross-bar of the tilter-bar frame. The seesaw-board will seat upon the upper end of the upper incline (Z, and one transverse edge of the slot Q will enter the rentrant angle d formed in the tilter-bar opposite a respective corner cl thereon, and it may be here explained that each of the similar angles of divergence between two adjacent iuclinesd is preferably a right angle. The transverse edge of the slot g in the box 11, that affords momentary support to the seesaw-board while it is level, being slightly at one side of the exact longitudinal center of the seesaw-board and the center of weight thereof as well, it will be seen that the surplus weight thus given to the portion of the member of the seesaw-board that projects away from the angular corner (1, opposite. the engaged or reentrant angle (P, will cause said member to rock downward and the XIO slightly lighter member of the seesaw-board correspondingly upward, while at the same time the entire seesaw-board slides down the incline d that is immediately below the corner d and rentrant angle (1 When the seesaw-board reaches the lower end of the incline din inclined condition, the opposite transverse edge of the slot 9 will become engaged within the reutrant angle 61'', formed at the upper end of the oppositely-inclined plane (1 immediately below the incline that has been traversed by the seesaw board, whereupon the overweight of the portion of the seesaw-board that is now produced in the other half of the board will instantly rock this member of the board downward and the tween the latter and the edges of the slot 9 when the board is in a level condition. At each end of the zigzag or fluted formation on the tilter-bar is the short straight portion 01 before mentioned, which passes through a respective inner member of a latch-bar 13, as previously explained, and it will be seen that when the seesaw-board drops from the lowermost incline 01 upon the inner member of the rockable latch-bar 13 the imposed weight of the seesaw-board and the figures thereon will depress said portion of the latchbar, overcoming the tension of the spring 13 and correspondingly raising the'latching end portion 0 of the latch-bar out of the depression 19. The release of the lower end of the tilter-bar frame thus efiected permits the motor hereinbefore described to actuate the belt 16 and communicate a rocking movement to the tilter-bar. frame in the direction of the arrow as in Fig. 1, thus tu-rningthe upper end of said frame down, so that the latch-bar end portion 0 of'the latch-bar that is rocked downward may interlock with the detent-arm 14. This disposal of the parts will carry the seesaw-board and the figures 12 upward along with the elevated end of the tilter-bar l0, and said figures will instantly assume an upright position, due to their weighted lower limbs.

,The seesaw-boardby its gravity and the weight of the figures 12 will slide down the straight member d on the tilter-bar into engagement with the uppermost rentrant angle (1 the transverse slot g, which at one edge has engagement withsaid angle, now being reversed in position and being below the opening it in the box 11, and obviously the operation of rocking the seesaw-board and its gradual descent will be resumed. and continued until the board again drops from the lowermost incline d upon the latch-bar member that is innermost, thus releasing the outer end 0 thereof from the detent-arm 14 to permit the'tilter-bar to be again given'a half-revolution, this'operation of the toy-continning while the spring of the motor is wound sufficiently to afford power for periodically turning the tilter-bar.

Having thusjdescribed my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 5 A -t- H 1. The combination with a support, and an upright fluted tilter-bar mounted thereon, said bar being of an even width and thickness from one end to the other, whereby the upper walls of the flutes on one side of the bar are parallel with the lower walls of the flutes on the other side of the bar, of a centrally and transversely slotted seesaw-board, mounted on the tilter-bar with the tilter-bar passing through the slot, said seesaw-board being by gravity adapted to rock alternatelyin opposite-directions, and slide successively down the parallel sides of the flutes of the bar.

2. The combination of a seesaw-board,comprising two members,and an intermediate boxlike member having an opening in its bottom wall and a narrow transverse slot in the upper wallthereof, of a fluted tilter-bar of an even width and thickness throughout its length, and pivotally supported normally in an upright position, said narrow transverse slot being of a width to easily receive the thickness of said tilter-bar which passes through the opening and slot in the box, the

seesaw -board and box, by gravity, successively sliding down the parallel sides of the oppositely-inclined sections of the fluted bar andbeing rocked by said flutes in its downward passage.

3. The combination with a seesaw-board, comprising two elongated members, a box-like intermediate member having an opening in its bottom and a narrow transverse slot in its normal upper side, and figures held to rotate upon the ends of the elongated members, the planes in which said figures rotate being at a right angle to the longitudinal extent of the bar, of a fluted tilter-bar pivotally supported in an upright position, and being of an even width and thickness throughout its length and adapted to pass through the opening and slot in the box, said intermediate slot being of a width to easily receive the thickness of said bar, said seesaw-bar being thereby adapted to move down said tilterbar by gravity, successively engaging the parallel sides of the oppositely-inclined sections of the fluted bar, and being rocked or seesawed by said flutes in its passage.

4. The combination with a pair of supported standards, an oblong framehaving centraltrunnions and rockably supported thereby upon the standards, and a tilter-bar held by its ends on the transverse end members of the frame, said tilter-barhavinga zigzag formation thereon, of a seesaw-board having a narrow central slot, said board being mounted upon the tilter-bar that passes through the slot, the edges of said slot alternately engaging rentrant angles on the zigzagformation, which with the gravity of the seesaw-board causes said board to rock on opposite edges 5. The combination with an oblong frame rockablysupported upon central trunnions of a tilter-bar held by its ends on the transverse end -members of the frame, said tilter-bar having a zigzag formation thereon, of a seesaw-board having fingers pivotally mounted on axes, formed by portions of the longitudinal extent of the board, said board having a narrow central slot and being mounted upon the tilter-bar that passes through the slot, the edges of said slot alternately engaging rentrant angles 011 the zigzag formation, which with the gravity of the seesaw-board causes said board to rock on opposite edges of the slot, which latter alternately engages the rentrant angles of the zigzag formation, means for rotating the tilter-bar frame, means for engaging said frame and arresting the rotative motion thereof when it comes to an upright position and means at each end of said zigzag bar adapted to be engaged by the seesaw-board when it descends to the lower end of the tilter-bar to disengage said tilterbar frame to permit the same to rotate another half-revolution, as set forth.

6. The combination with a support, of an upright tilter-bar pivotally mounted there upon, a seesaw-bar mounted on said tilter-bar and adapted to move back and forth thereupon from either end of the tilter-bar to the other, and automatic means for intermittently rotating the tiltenbar end over end a half-revolution to cause first one end and then the other thereof to extend upwardly.

7. The combination with a support, of an upright tilter-bar mounted to rotate thereupon, a seesaw-bar mounted on said tilter-bar and adapted to move back and forth thereupon from either end of the tilter-bar to the other, means for rotating the tilter-bar a half-' revolution at a time to bring first one end and then the other thereof into an upright position, and a stop for-engaging and holding the tilter-bar at each half-revolution performed thereby, to permit the seesaw-bar to rock down the tilter-bar to the lower end thereof.

8. The combination with a support of an upright tilter-bar mounted to rotate thereupon, a seesaw-bar mounted on said tilter-bar and adapted to rockingly move back and forth thereupon by gravity from either end of the tilter-bar to the other, means for rotating the tilter-bar a half-revolution at a time to bring first one end and then the other thereof into an upward position, and means for engaging and stopping the same at each half-revolution performed thereby to hold the same in a vertical position until the seesaw-bar has rocked down the tilter-bar to the lower end thereof.

9. The combination with a support, of an upright tilter-bar mounted to rotate thereupon, means for rotating the tilter-bar, means for engaging and stopping the tilter-bar at each halfrevolution performed thereby to bring first one end and then the other to an upward position, aseesaw-bar mounted on said tilter-bar and adapted to rockably move back and forth thereupon by gravity from either end of the tilter-bar to the other, and

gaged by the seesaw-bar when it descends to the lower end of the tilter-bar, to release the tilter-bar to permit it to be revolved another half-revolution to successively bring the seesaw-bar from the lower end ofthe tilter-bar to the upper end thereof.

10. The combination with a support, of an upright tilter-bar of zigzag formation mounted to rotate thereupon, the axis of rotation being at the longitudinal center of the bar, means for rotating the tilter-bar, means for alternately engaging the ends of the tilterbar to stop the same at each half-revolution performed thereby, a seesaw-bar adapted to move from end to end of the tilter-bar and means at the ends of the tilter-bar to be alternately engaged by the seesaw-bar to dismeans at each end of the tilter-bar to be enengage the stop mechanism first at one end and then at the other of the tilter-bar to permit the same to perform a continuous series of half-revolutions with a stop between each of said half-revolutions.

11. The combination with a support, of an upright tilter-bar mounted to rotate thereupon, said tilter-bar being of a zigzag formation throughout its middle portion and having its ends straight, means for rotating the tilter-bar, means for engaging and stopping the tilter bar at each half revolution performed thereby to bring first one end and then the other to an upward position, a seesaw-bar mounted on said tilter-bar and adapted to rockably move back and forth thereupon by gravity from either end of the tilterbar to the other, and means at each end of the tilter-bar to be engaged by the seesawbar when it descends to the lower end of the tilter-bar to release the tilter-bar to permitit to be revolved another half-revolution to suecessively bring the seesaw-bar from the lower end of the tilter-bar to the upper end thereof, the straight sections at the ends of the tilter-bar permitting the seesaw-bar to drop suddenly into engagement with said releasing means at the lower end of the bar.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK, GARRECHT.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. JONES, HENRY A. SCHLOSSER. 

